knowingthecreator asked this question on 5/14/2000:
Please, what is Wicca?
luise gave this response on 5/14/2000:
Wicca is one of the many Earth-based religions that cover the globe. It is considered a Pagan religion. However, not all Pagans are Wiccans. We revere Nature in all forms, and consider Deity to be in all things, living or not. We find Divinity in all people, creatures, plants and stones. The Earth we live on, the Air we breath, the Water we drink, and the Fire of the Earth all are sacred to us.
Many Wiccan traditions believe in both a Male and Female aspect of the Divine, God and Goddess. Some put no sex to the Divine at all. The Traditions are wide and varied, but most have a reverence for the Earth, and the belief in the male and female aspects of Deity in common.
Wicca as a religion started in the late 1940's in England. A number of people, including a man named Gerald Gardener took the ancient practice of Witchcraft (nature worship and herbalism), and combined it with alchemy and some ceremonial magick and gave it the name WICCA. It has grown in leaps and bounds since then and many people have found their own paths and traditions.
There is no Holy Book, but there are some common holy words. One is "an it harm none, do what thou wilt". This phrase has been interpreted in different ways, but I believe it falls under the definition of you may do what you will as long as you do not harm anyone including yourself. It gives the guideline of living a good life and doing what you can to do good for others as well.
The other phrase is the "Threefold Law". This is basically Karma, the Golden Rule, or whatever is similar. Whatever you do comes back to you times three. Now I have more experience in the straight exchange, what you do comes back. But I have experienced the three fold law as well. I did something bad and I got bit back 3 times. But as long as I live my life well, I know I will be all right.
I hope I have answered your question. If you have any more, don't hesitate to ask. Interfaith discussion can do nothing but promote religious tolerance. That is my job.
Blessings, Luise